Lise wrote:
al - I have hiked up Lynn Canyon Peak. I didn't quite like the hike because it was a bit crowded for my taste. I prefer hikes where there's not a lot of ppl so I can totally enjoy myself.
Try Garibaldi Lake. It's punishing but the view is really good, you get to see the Black Horn from the top. I failed to see the lake because the trails were snowed in (IN SUMMER OF ALL TIMES) but my husband has made it there and the pictures he brought back were breathtaking.
Lise- thanks for the recommendation on Garibaldi Lake. I'll definitely be checking it out. Something about these punishing hikes really appeals to me. Maybe it's the absurdity of trying to march up thru some of these trails.Part of the Lynn Peak Route involves slogging uphill through a boulder-filled chute that winds its way up thru some twists and turns such that when you get to the top of a stretch, you find - the same damn thing! Definitely no crowds there like Lynn Canyon. Not a walk in the park by any means, but damn well worth it. Like I said, I found it harsh and intimidating. And weirdly likable! Here'a little blurb on it from a local site. When you're back into hiking mode, I think you'll get a kick out of it:
..................................................................................................................
A third strenuous hike in this wilderness park climbs Lynn Peak. Although the hiking time is shorter than that required for either the Lynn Lake or the Hanes Valley routes, the 4.5-mile (7.2-km) round-trip journey to the peak (elevation 3,021 feet/921 m) is equally demanding. Your rewards are two splendid viewpoints and a visit to one of the last stands of ancient forest in the park. The approach begins from the park kiosk via Lynn Loop Trail. Watch for the well-marked turn away from this main trail onto the rougher Lynn Crest Trail (also referred to as the Lynn Peak Trail). The trail begins to climb sharply uphill, following the course of a small streambed in places. Depending on the season, this route may be wet or bone-dry. Bring plenty of drinking water, as the effort required to ascend this trail will dehydrate you at any time of the year. The first viewpoint appears after 1.2 miles (2 km). Catch your breath as you gaze east across the Seymour River Valley. The sound of the river rises from below, reminding you that Lynn Creek's familiar voice faded away as you climbed. Farther along, you pass through the Enchanted Forest, where the high sound of wind in the boughs will have you guessing whether it's created by the breeze or the creek. You can tell when you've reached the ancient grove, as the understorey begins to thin out. Far less nourishing sunlight reaches the forest floor here; the towering trees don't even begin to put out branches until 100 feet (30 m) or more above the ground. As the final viewpoint of Lynn Peak is only 0.3 mile (0.5 km) farther along, you have plenty of time to linger here and appreciate the majesty of the location. Allow two to three hours to complete this challenging hike. (Note: The clearing in which the highest viewpoint is located was the site of a blimp logging operation carried out here in the early 1970s.)
